You know what it takes to be a knight? asks Cidi Hamete Benegeli of the title character in Paul Magid’s “Don Quixote” (premiering at San Diego Repertory Theatre Jan. 6-Feb. 4).
After several answers, none satisfactory to Benegeli, Quixote says, “OK, I’m getting cold now. What?”
Benegeli says, “Shock and Awe.”
In one fell swoop, Magid simultaneously thrusts playgoers both backward and forward in time, from 17th century Spain, where Benegeli, a Moorish Muslim, is on the run from the Inquisition, and into George Bush’s no less surreal 21st century war against terror.
Playwright Magid’s world premiere relates the familiar, picaresque tale of novelist Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote de la Mancha. When things become too complicated and reach a dramatic impasse, the troupe performs a musical number, or perhaps they juggle. And why not? They are part of the renowned Flying Karamazov Brothers, of which Magid is a founding member.
Though the Brothers do not fly, they explore comedic possibilities of the glorious theatrical form known as commedia dell’arte. In this case, seven actors play more than 40 roles. Among others, Magid plays Benegeli, who narrates, and who in fact may or may not have been the chief author of Cervantes’ sprawling tale about an aging and delusional aristocrat who fancies himself a knight errant, gathers up a companion (his valet) named Sancho Panza (Willie G), and goes on a quest, during which he tilts with windmills and strives to save the honor of Dulcinea, who is in truth a whore.
Beloved as Ebenezer Scrooge two years running at San Diego Rep, Los Angeles-based actor Peter Van Norden portrays Don Quixote. Rep artistic director Sam Woodhouse stages the play.
Van Norden was born and raised in New York and acted his way through high school and Colgate University, after which he studied with the legendary Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse. He began his career in New York City, performing on- and off-Broadway (“Hamlet” with Kevin Kline, “Jungle of Cities” with Al Pacino, and “St. Joan” with Lynn Redgrave). Then fate, in the form of a touring musical titled “Little Johnny Jones,” brought him to Los Angeles, where contacts urged him to move to the West Coast.
At the time, circa 1982, Van Norden’s wife was teaching in New York and had just given birth to their son. Nonetheless, the family packed up and moved to Los Angeles, where for many years Van Norden worked in film and television, playing in series such as “Police Academy 2” and “The Stand” and in the film “The Accused” with Jodie Foster.
“Now I’ve joined the I-5 Repertory,” he said, referring to the string of regional theaters that stretches from the Pacific Northwest to San Diego. Though he has not worked with The Flying Karamazov Brothers previously, he’s seen and admired their work and considers it an honor to join them.
“They’re amazingly skilled musicians, acrobats and jugglers,” he said.
As for Don Quixote, Van Norden has long aspired to playing the role, which he considers beautifully poetic and frightening in that Don Quixote, in the depth of his soul, knows he’s losing touch with reality. The physical challenge is immense, not only because he’s working with the Karamazov Brothers but because “Quixote’s every encounter ends in a fight.”
Asked if he juggles, Van Norden admits to handling three balls rather competently, but said he will not juggle in this show.
“They’ve been very patient with me, but if juggling were really required of me, I’d be a special-ed project,” he said.
Single tickets for “Don Quixote” are priced at $28-$46. The Rep is located at 79 Horton Plaza, downtown. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. For information, visit www.sandiegorep.com or call (619) 544-1000.